LOS ANGELES, March 1 (UPI) -- "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" swept the 76th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, winning Best Picture and 10 other Oscars.
Writer-director Peter Jackson's took a trophy for Best Director for his adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's literary epic, which won 11 Oscars in all, including adapted screenplay, score, original song and six technical-creative categories.
Sean Penn won the Best Actor award for his work in "Mystic River," his first award in four nominations. He played the father of a murdered girl in director Clint Eastwood's adaptation of Dennis Lehane's best-selling novel.
Charlize Theron won the Best Actress award for her performance as a serial killer in "Monster," her first nomination, and first Oscar.
Tim Robbins won for Best Supporting Actor for "Mystic River" for his performance as a man who was a victim of child abuse.
Renee Zellweger won the Best Supporting Actress category for "Cold Mountain," portraying a tough Southern woman helping a sheltered woman, played by Nicole Kidman, cope with farm life while men were away fighting the Civil War.
Both Robbins and Zellweger are first-time Oscar winners.
